The ATA Chronicle - September/October 2022 - 32

chat allows us to keep track
of the docket by typing in the
name of each detainee, which
is also the session we need to
interpret. When we're in the
last session of each group,
we let our team interpreter
know so they can join and be
ready to start interpreting
for the next group. This chat
also allows us to provide
support if one of us is stuck
on a word or having technical
issues and needs the other
one to take over immediately.
Use a Microsoft Teams
Channel to communicate
with court staff. This chat
allows us to communicate
with the rest of the team if
we're experiencing audio
or video problems that can
impact our performance
(e.g., loud noises at the jail
or feedback generated by a
microphone or speaker).
Multitasking can be
challenging in the beginning,
especially if you're not
computer savvy and on top
of using the delay feature
with the regular headaches
of VRI (e.g., having to focus
on typing things in the
chat). Once you become
accustomed to the system,
however, the steps become
part of your daily routine and
you don't even think about
them anymore.
Creating a Good
Environment When
Working with a
Team Interpreter
Of course, not everything is
easy sailing when working
as a team interpreter. It
requires compromise and a
willingness to accept working
with a partner. For those
of us who are impatient,
used to working alone, or
32 The ATA Chronicle | September/October 2022
feel overwhelmed when
working with someone we
feel might be judging our
performance, here are a few
recommendations:
Create a glossary. This helps
to lay the foundation for
what type of terms and word
choices everyone feels will
be clear to the majority of
detainees, as there are always
language variations and
regionalisms that might be
difficult to understand. Having
a glossary on hand also avoids
judges and staff speculating as
to why one interpreter keeps
using one term while others
use a different one.
Learn to compromise.
Keep in mind that you're
working as part of a team.
You're there to help each
other, not to compete
and try to outshine your
colleague. Having a good
relationship with your team
interpreter will make the
work environment more
pleasant. This is important
to avoid both of you feeling
like you're working with a
check interpreter instead of a
support interpreter.
Find your rhythm while
allowing others to find
theirs. You might be a fast
typist but slow to adjust the
settings on your headphones
and camera. Your partner
might be a fast speaker,
whereas you are not. That's
okay, as everyone has a
different rhythm and working
routine. The important thing
is to learn to be patient
and take advantage of each
other's strengths to excel
while interpreting.
Limit messages on the chat.
Unnecessary messages can be
distracting and stressful and
will affect performance.
Be respectful to your
colleague. Remember that
you're both equally qualified.
Respect each other's word
choices and don't try to
impose your interpreting
style on your partner. Make
comments only when the
term chosen impacts the
meaning of the message, or
when you notice your partner
is stuck on a word they might
not remember or with which
they are unfamiliar.
Make it a habit to conduct
team meetings to discuss
possible issues. Be sure to
have periodic team meetings
to work through any issues
that might have surfaced
while working together.
General
Recommendations
Anticipate, but don't get
ahead of the judge. Being
able to anticipate allows
interpreters to start to
structure utterances before
the speakers are done
talking. However, sometimes
interpreters who have been
working for the same judge
for a while may be tempted
to stop listening after the
first few words because they
think they know what the
judge will say next. This
can result in interpreting
errors, as a judge might
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